Stefanie Sanford

Chief of Global Policy, Advocacy & Communications, College Board

Stefanie leads work with policymakers and public institutions to ensure that through rigorous course work and next-generation assessments, the College Board helps improve student outcomes, especially for low-income students and students of color. Stefanie also directs the College Board's government relations efforts and strategic relationships with foundation partners.

Before joining the College Board, Stefanie served as the director of policy and advocacy for the United States Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she played an integral role on a number of key initiatives, including the Common Core State Standards, the Data Quality Campaign and the Complete College America program.

Prior to joining the Gates Foundation, Stefanie held several senior policy positions in both Democratic and Republican offices in Texas state government, and was a White House Fellow in the Office of Cabinet Affairs.

Stefanie has also served as a German Marshall Fellow and an Education Entrepreneurial Fellow of the Aspen Institute, and is the author of Civic Life in the Information Age: Politics, Technology, and Generation X.

Stefanie earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Texas Christian University, a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a doctorate in political communication from the University of Texas.